Something's going on, and it's gnawing at me

[CyberB0b]

I pulled this information from reddit/r/nfl a few days ago.

http://imgur.com/irIuSQG

The only two teams that have it worse than Dallas is Seattle and Washington, who to be fair, have it much worse. Philly has it pretty good, and the Giants are pretty much average.

Here's the img:

 

[Toruk_Makto]

Occam and Hanlon's razors apply here.

 

[tideh20heel]

2013 saw us starting with the Giants to open the season and had Eagles and Skins within the 1st 7 games of the season.

And also had them in the second half. That is even scheduling. I think 1987 was the last time we had both games vs the Eagles and Giants in the 1st 8 games. Coinciding with an Impact defenders suspension. Doesn't pass the smell test

 

[tideh20heel]

And if we end up mopping up the competition, some other fans will complain that the league was too easy on us.

I have to hand it to our fans, though. They're, if nothing else, creative. I just don't see how you guys invest so much time connecting the dots, i.e., refs conspiring to get us, the league conspiring to get us, etc. I just can't expend the energy to do so.

It's so blatant that it really doesn't take any energy at all

 

[Doomsday101]

And also had them in the second half. That is even scheduling. I think 1987 was the last time we had both games vs the Eagles and Giants in the 1st 8 games. Coinciding with an Impact defenders suspension. Doesn't pass the smell test

Sorry I don't buy into the league out to get us, there is no boogie man out there it is a 16 game schedule just like everyone else. As for Hardy if he misses 10 game that is his own damn fault and the fault of the Cowboys for taking him. Not Goodell or Mara or anyone else. What does not pass the smell test are these wild accusations.

 

[xwalker]

I hesitate greatly to feed the trolling conspiracy theorists, but here goes.

One of my biggest pet peeves is the "everybody is out to get us" nonsense of homers and crybaby fans. I hate it. The same can be heard in all 32 cities every year without fail. You can set your calendar by it.

But whether it's isolated, coordinated, scripted, or whatever, there is something that just isn't right these days. The Hardy suspension defies all logic and precedent, the salary cap penalties imposed a couple of years ago were entirely unwarranted, the manner in which the Dez review was conducted and ruled compared to other similar scenarios, the subsequent rules committee reaffirmation of that rule....there's this icky cloud hanging over the league all around, and in this case, as it's relating to the Cowboys.

The other day, I took a closer look at the schedule. Consider these interesting tidbits. Are these intentional?

1. The Giants play the Cowboys twice in the first six games. Just the right timing to make sure Eli doesn't face a pass rush with Greg Hardy if he receives the expected six games.

2. If Hardy receives only two games, let's make sure the Eagles benefit, too. Yes, TWO divisional games to start the season, which is both rare and extremely stupid.

3. New England gets a bye before going to Dallas.

4. Seattle gets 10 days before going to Dallas.

5. Philadelphia gets a bye before going to Dallas.

6. Dallas has back-to-back road games in Florida before playing on Thanksgiving on a short week. Then, it's back-to-back road games again in Washington and Green Bay.

7. Green Bay gets 10 days rest before hosting a road-weary Cowboys team in the cold.

8. The Cowboys schedule is front-loaded with the tougher teams, including all of the divisional games against New York and Philly.

Again, is this by chance, or intentional? Has Jerry so ticked off Goodell, Mara, Kraft, etc, with his whiskey-dripping arrogance that they sit in circles to stick it to him? Did 12-4 and the chance of another so shock and disgust the eastern blowhards that they felt the need to take action?

Of course, the best part of us says "Bring it!" But it skews the notion I've always held that the league is on the up-and-up. I'm certain that the NBA is fixed in many ways, and the lack of a salary cap accomplishes the same in baseball. But the NFL, I've always believed, is pristine because it can be. The game is too great and too big to care if a team in Green Bay wins a championship. It doesn't need help.

However, the whims and tantrums of wealthy owners with an axe to grind....let's just say Goodell hasn't earned a lick of confidence with his half-cocked and unpredictable wing-it ways these past many months.

I now objectively believe this bares watching.

I do believe there are issues where Bias caused the Cowboys to get screwed; however, I don't think Hardy or the schedule are part of that.

Goodell had to cover his butt on the Hardy situation. He got vilified and some thought he might get fired after being too lenient on Ray Rice and bumbling the "we didn't see the video" issue. It is in his own best interest to give Hardy the max punishment and let the courts or appeals process over-rule him. He loses nothing personally from being over-ruled.

Creating the NFL schedule is difficult. It's hard to make it fair in all details.

The Salary Cap issue was a blatant screw job by Goodell and Mara.

There does appear to be some individual bias by the refs and possibly their boss, but I don't see it as a conspiracy where the got together and planned it. With all of the NFL bosses being in NY, there has to be some bias involved. Having said that, there is also just a lot of incompetence involved.

 

[tideh20heel]

Sorry I don't buy into the league out to get us, there is no boogie man out there it is a 16 game schedule just like everyone else. As for Hardy if he misses 10 game that is his own damn fault and the fault of the Cowboys for taking him. Not Goodell or Mara or anyone else. What does not pass the smell test are these wild accusations.

you not "buying" into doesn't make it not true

 

[khiladi]

Yeah, Goodell is handing down fines like crazy for pumping noise into a stadium, but not a peep has been said about Deflate-gate.. sure, there is no conspiracy..

 

[lostar2009]

Yeah there is something going on. I will agree to that.

 

[WPBCowboysFan]

Jets got fined 100k today and the Patriots did essentially the same thing and got nothing. That's all I have to say

Dont worry, Rogah will be here to explain how the Pats are victims and have never done anything to get all the hate. Oh, and he will also be able to explain how Mr Krafty does NOT have King Roger in his back pocket . . . . . . . . .

 

[chuch]

Has anybody asked why billionaires would leave any aspect of their multibillion-dollar business (such as scheduling what games happen when) up to chance? I don't believe the league is out to get the cowboys but I do believe in the profitability of a season-long narrative the involves the leagues most polarizing team.

 

[WPBCowboysFan]

Yeah, Goodell is handing down fines like crazy for pumping noise into a stadium, but not a peep has been said about Deflate-gate.. sure, there is no conspiracy..

Oh no, we are all on the edge of our seats waiting for the accurate and "INDEPENDENT" investigation and the Wells Report and its taking so long because it is so thorough. The extra long wait for the results is NOT an attempt t drag it out in hopes it goes away, or under the rug, its to get to the truth!

 

[DFWJC]

When I looked at the schedule with regard to timing and location of the game, it seemed almost impossible that it could be random.
Tin foil hat firmly in place.

 

[rpntex]

I hesitate greatly to feed the trolling conspiracy theorists, but here goes.

One of my biggest pet peeves is the "everybody is out to get us" nonsense of homers and crybaby fans. I hate it. The same can be heard in all 32 cities every year without fail. You can set your calendar by it.

But whether it's isolated, coordinated, scripted, or whatever, there is something that just isn't right these days. The Hardy suspension defies all logic and precedent, the salary cap penalties imposed a couple of years ago were entirely unwarranted, the manner in which the Dez review was conducted and ruled compared to other similar scenarios, the subsequent rules committee reaffirmation of that rule....there's this icky cloud hanging over the league all around, and in this case, as it's relating to the Cowboys.

The other day, I took a closer look at the schedule. Consider these interesting tidbits. Are these intentional?

1. The Giants play the Cowboys twice in the first six games. Just the right timing to make sure Eli doesn't face a pass rush with Greg Hardy if he receives the expected six games.

2. If Hardy receives only two games, let's make sure the Eagles benefit, too. Yes, TWO divisional games to start the season, which is both rare and extremely stupid.

3. New England gets a bye before going to Dallas.

4. Seattle gets 10 days before going to Dallas.

5. Philadelphia gets a bye before going to Dallas.

6. Dallas has back-to-back road games in Florida before playing on Thanksgiving on a short week. Then, it's back-to-back road games again in Washington and Green Bay.

7. Green Bay gets 10 days rest before hosting a road-weary Cowboys team in the cold.

8. The Cowboys schedule is front-loaded with the tougher teams, including all of the divisional games against New York and Philly.

Again, is this by chance, or intentional? Has Jerry so ticked off Goodell, Mara, Kraft, etc, with his whiskey-dripping arrogance that they sit in circles to stick it to him? Did 12-4 and the chance of another so shock and disgust the eastern blowhards that they felt the need to take action?

Of course, the best part of us says "Bring it!" But it skews the notion I've always held that the league is on the up-and-up. I'm certain that the NBA is fixed in many ways, and the lack of a salary cap accomplishes the same in baseball. But the NFL, I've always believed, is pristine because it can be. The game is too great and too big to care if a team in Green Bay wins a championship. It doesn't need help.

However, the whims and tantrums of wealthy owners with an axe to grind....let's just say Goodell hasn't earned a lick of confidence with his half-cocked and unpredictable wing-it ways these past many months.

I now objectively believe this bares watching.

That was a well don post and you make a lot of "head scratching" points. That being said, I don't agre with the general premise, however. There is no conspiracy.

Goodell had to come off tough for the sake of PR. If he goes and takes what could be construed as a soft approach on DV, he (and the league) has to deal with the backlash. Said backlash could very easily include huge losses in advertising dollars. By coming off tough, and passing the buck to someone else to determine Hardy's "true" penalty, he maintains the image that will satisfy the general public (aka, the people who buy the stuff those advertisers are selling).

Secondly, and equally important, the NFL is better when the Cowboys are doing well. The Cowboys doibg well translates to more money, and that means more for everyone due to revenue sharing. When the Cowboys suffer, so does the NFL.

 

[DFWJC]

Just out of curiosity, I looked at just one of the oddities.

Sure enough, there is one team in the entire NFC that opens with two Division games....that would be Dallas.
1/16 odds of that happening--if at all--and it so happened to be us.
Yeeehaw

 

[DogFace]

That was a well don post and you make a lot of "head scratching" points. That being said, I don't agre with the general premise, however. There is no conspiracy.

Goodell had to come off tough for the sake of PR. If he goes and takes what could be construed as a soft approach on DV, he (and the league) has to deal with the backlash. Said backlash could very easily include huge losses in advertising dollars. By coming off tough, and passing the buck to someone else to determine Hardy's "true" penalty, he maintains the image that will satisfy the general public (aka, the people who buy the stuff those advertisers are selling).

Secondly, and equally important, the NFL is better when the Cowboys are doing well. The Cowboys doibg well translates to more money, and that means more for everyone due to revenue sharing. When the Cowboys suffer, so does the NFL.

Except they do not share merchandising revenue. Only team. This could possibly bother the other teams and the league. Cowboys do sell a lot of merchandise.

 

[DFWJC]

Just out of curiosity, I looked at just one of the oddities.

Sure enough, there is one team in the entire NFC that opens with two Division games....that would be Dallas.
1/16 odds of that happening--if at all--and it so happened to be us.
Yeeehaw

One step further.

Dallas is the only team in the entire NFL to open with two division games.
1/32....or 3% chance (if at all) of that happening.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

We won 12 games last year without Hardy. I think we should be okay without him against the Eagirls and Giants.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

I'm sorry I don't think Hardy suspension and the Cowboys schedule have anything to do with each other. I also do not believe the NFL is out to get their biggest money making team, the team that helps create big ratings. Others teams avoided Hardy because of the threat of suspension and even the Cowboys made sure to give him an incentive based contract because they knew this could happen. Then again I don't believe in Santa Clause, Easter Bunny or the Tooth fairy either.

Its silly IMO. Why on earth would the NFL not embrace their most profitable team in their organization? There's no agenda out to get the Cowboys. Not from the NFL. IT makes no sense.

 

[Fletch]

I'm a Doobie Brothers fan.

Love doobies. Ahem, I mean Doobie Bros.